The Pros and Cons of Audio Books for Kids

When a friend of mine suggested I try audio books with my toddler, I wasn't sure about it. I kept thinking, "Are audio books as good as reading, or just as bad as watching TV?" I try to limit my son's time spent watching TV, and playing video and computer games. Aren't audio books just more of the same? So, I did a little research and what I found was pretty surprising.

The benefits of listening to audio books for kids are pretty widespread. From introducing kids to books above their reading level and teaching critical listening skills to highlighting the emotion in the book and expanding their vocabulary, audio books provide a bridge for parents and children, as they can listen to them together.

The only skill kids seem to be missing out on is reading skills — and that's a pretty big one. The worry is that too much passive listening will keep kids from the active work of decoding text. However, audio books are used quite extensively to help kids who have learning disabilities. Reading delays are often caused by a delay in language comprehension — something audio books have been shown to expand. They have also been shown to expand reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills for kids.

I ended up taking my friends advice and purchasing a few audio books for my tot. He wasn't too crazy about it, but I think he may still be too young. While audio books aren't going to replace one-on-one story time with my son anytime soon, I think they can be a great tool. Plus, they really come in handy on long car rides.

Written by Rebecca Desfosse

You can also find Rebecca Desfosse at her frugal-living blog, Doggone Thrifty. Married for three years and mother to a two-year-old boy, Rebecca understands how to raise a family on a budget and is eager to share her knowledge.